MSU Track Teams To Compete At War Eagle Invitational
STARKVILLE, Miss. - As the regular season comes to an end the Mississippi State track and field teams travel to Auburn for the War Eagle Invitational this weekend. Competition begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday with the men's hammer throw and the women's javelin.
MSU stands to make an impressive showing in Auburn after having top finishes in the 200-and 400-meter dashes last weekend at the Ole Miss Invitational. The No. 11 Bulldogs are led by sprinters Dwight Mullings, Tavaris Tate and O'Neal Wilder. Tate ran 44.86 seconds at the Alabama Relays and is currently ranked third in the nation in the 400.
"The Auburn Invitational is good competition for us to get some good qualifying marks," head coach Al Schmidt said. "It is a chance for our kids to practice what they are going to compete in at the SEC meet."
The women are set to make a statement this weekend in the sprinting events as well. Senior Crystal Wilson and freshman Jody-Ann Muir are hopefuls in the 200-and 400-meter dashes.
"The Auburn Invitational is a mini version of the SEC meet because they have a good track, and some of the same elements that the kids will see at the SEC Championships," Schmidt said.
In the field events, freshman Allison Storey and senior Wendy Copeland are set to make high marks in the javelin throw and long jump.
"The guys and girls get to run and contend for their main events to nail down some better qualifying marks," Schmidt added.